Gas Powered Pressure Washers: New AD/CVD Investigations Deadlines & Scope

The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on gas powered pressure washers from China and Vietnam (A-570-148, A-552-008) and a countervailing duty investigation on gas powered pressure washers from China (C-570-149). The agency will determine whether imports of gas powered pressure washers are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or are illegally subsidized.

The AD investigations on China and Vietnam cover entries April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022. The CVD investigation on China covers entries Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021.

The International Trade Commission will conduct a concurrent investigation to determine whether imports of dumped and illegally subsidized gas powered pressure washers from China and Vietnam are injuring U.S. industry. If the ITC finds no injury in its preliminary injury determinations, due Feb. 13 for both the AD and the CV investigations, the investigations will immediately end. If Commerce finds dumping or illegal subsidization in the preliminary determinations of these investigations, due March 27 for CVD on China and June 8 for AD on Vietnam and China, it will set AD and/or CVD cash deposit requirements for imports of merchandise subject to the investigation. If both Commerce and the ITC reach affirmative final determinations, Commerce will issue an AD and/or CVD order making duties permanent and beginning a process of annual administrative reviews to set final assessments of AD/CVD on importers and potentially change AD/CVD cash deposit rates.

AD/CVD Respondent Selection

For its AD investigations on China and Vietnam and its CVD investigation on China, Commerce will send quantity and value questionnaires to each potential respondent, and will base respondent selection on the responses it receives. Exporters that don't get a quantity and value questionnaire can submit one using the forms that will be made available on the Commerce website. Responses are due Feb. 2.

Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations

“The merchandise covered by these investigations is cold water gas powered pressure washers (also commonly known as power washers), which are machines that clean surfaces using water pressure that are powered by an internal combustion engine, air-cooled with a power take-off shaft, in combination with a positive displacement pump. This combination of components (i.e., the internal combustion engine, the power take-off shaft, and the positive displacement pump) is defined as the “power unit.” The scope of these investigations covers cold water gas powered pressure washers, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether or not containing any additional parts or accessories to assist in the function of the “power unit,” including, but not limited to, spray guns, hoses, lances, and nozzles. The scope of these investigations covers cold water gas powered pressure washers, whether or not assembled or packaged with a frame, cart, or trolley, with or without wheels attached.

“For purposes of these investigations, an unfinished and/or unassembled cold water gas powered pressure washer consists of, at a minimum, the power unit or components of the power unit, packaged or imported together. Importation of the power unit whether or not accompanied by, or attached to, additional components including, but not limited to a frame, spray guns, hoses, lances, and nozzles constitutes an unfinished cold water gas powered pressure washer for purposes of this scope. The inclusion in a third country of any components other than the power unit does not remove the cold water gas powered pressure washer from the scope. A cold water gas powered pressure washer is within the scope of these investigations regardless of the origin of its engine. Subject merchandise also includes finished and unfinished cold water gas powered pressure washers that are further processed in a third country or in the United States, including, but not limited to, assembly or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope cold water gas powered pressure washers.

“The scope excludes hot water gas powered pressure washers, which are pressure washers that include a heating element used to heat the water sprayed from the machine.

“Also specifically excluded from the scope of these investigations is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain vertical shaft engines between 99cc and Up to 225cc, and parts thereof from the People’s Republic of China. See Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 99 cc and Up to 225cc, and Parts Thereof from the People’s Republic of China: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 86 FR 023675 (May 4, 2021).

“The cold water gas powered pressure washers subject to these investigations are classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings 8424.30.9000 and 8424.90.9040. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.”

Participants in the AD/CVD investigations may submit comments on product coverage under the scope of the investigations. Comments on the scope are due by 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 8.

Investigations Timetable

These deadlines may be, and usually are, extended. The Commerce Department fact sheet on the initiation of these investigations is (here). See 2301050059 for a summary of the petition requesting these investigations.